Railway signal torpedo



' imam, 192s. 1,45 ,745

I F. BROWN ET AL RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO Filed March 4, 1922 3 SheetsSheet l hwlz, 1923: 1743 8345 F. W. BROWN ET AL RAILWAY SIGNAL 'IIORPEDO Filed March 4, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 12, 1923. 1,458,745

F. W. BROWN ET AL RAILWAY S IGNAL TORPEDO Filed March 4, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet s Patented June 12, 1923.

UM-TEDt-ST ATES- FRANK w. BROWN, or WILKINSBURG', AENDARCHLE R: MARSHALE,-. OFPMS'BMGH,

PEnmrsmvAmA, 'Assrenonsi TO CENTRAL RAILWAY SIGNAL company, or 'rrr'rsmmex-Pnnnsmnvnnm, A CORPORATION ornnw-mnsnY. e

n-AiLwA-Y SIGNAL roan 13:00.

Application filed lll arch 4, 1922. Serial No. 541 11 80.

T all 'w-h om it'may co ncem." A g Be it known that we, FRANK V. Bn'owN, of lvilkinsburg in the county, of Allegheny and. Stateoflennsylvania and ARCHIE MARSHALL, of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, citia zens of the United States; have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal Torpedoes,, of which the following 10 is. a. specification, reference being'had' herein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention. relates to. improvements in railway signal. torpedoes, provided with av milk-engaging vmemberfor fastening the torpedo. to the rail-head of a track.

The object of our invention. is to provide a means for attaching, a raiI engaging membeer to a fibre orpaper torpedo; case 1n such a manner that the pulling open on separationr oh the ends. of the clasp to attach it. to the rail will? not tend. to separate the folded portions o'f'the. cased A A- further ob'ect'ofour invention is: to provide the rail-engaging primary attach 26 ing means with clamping ears for; firmly clamping the: outer folds of the case in their folded positions so that they cannot become displaced either in. shipment. or infhandllng. A furthen object. oi our invention is to fonrm as fibre or' papertorpedb. case (from a sheet or blanltandlso fold. it around-the explosive compound tha t tlie same is wholly enclosed andprovidinggmeans whereby. a lead or spring-rail attaching:member may be securely fastened.thereto,;and1 atgthe same time providinga tonpedo with. athick botttom and flat lower: face. wliereby it; will more fully rest. upon. the rail.

- Astillfnrtlier object of. our invention is p to provide a. clip for the torpedo oase'havlllgl'f a.- novel: construction and? arrangement of parts which will. be hereinafter morev f'ully set. fonth=. V I p I Another obj ect. of ourinvention. ist to provide' a. torpedo which is cheap. in. construe: tiorn. simple of manufacture and effieient in use. V

- (Other: fiurther objects and improved results of our new. torpedo will appear in the 50 following; specifioatio'n and accompanying drawings. A V In-t'he drawings: V I

Figure 1a isiaiperspective view oferr-torpedo embodying,ouninventiom.

is a. bottom view of ouri'mproved torpedo. a

Fig; 3 is a vertical sectionalview taken transversely of the rail-engaging mem'berl I v Fig; is avertical sectional viewt'a'ken longltu dm'allyof the rail-attaching member.

Fig." 5 is a plan, view of thefex plosive wrapperorcase', the case beingshown in extended form.

clip.

of our invention.

Fig; 6 is a top plan ivi'ew'of the" torpedo 1 Y Fig; 7 is a bottom-iviewofa modified form 8'is 'averti'cal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, looking in the. 1

direction 'ind-icatedby arrows.

Fig... 9is abottom plan view of a torpedo constructed;similarly to that shownv in Fig. 8', with the exoeption'tha't a springrail-engaging member is shown. I t .Fig. 10' is averticalsectional' view taken on. thej1line1010' of Fig.9, looking in. the direction. indicated by arrows; i Fig- 11' is a bottom plan'view ofa torpedo,

showinglithe incorporation of anothermodi-' fi'cat'io'n' of our invention'.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional viewv ofa torpedoshowing; another" form of our invention, the section being taken longitudinally off the rail engag'ingjmember.

.Fig7.' v1'3, is a bottom View of the torpedo shown i'n Fig; 12. I

Fig.. 14 is-a bottom plan view of torpedo showinganothenfbrm ofour'improVed invent-ion.

,torpedo shown in Fig. 14, the section being member.

Fig; 15 a vertical sectional View. of the In.the'drawingslike parts areidesignated i by, similar reference nuinerals throughout.

the description. 7

Referring. now to Figs. 1Itof6, inclusive,

1 designates a torpedo explosive which is made preferably. in a tablet fo m, although,

ifi so desired,-v loose powder canbe-used. I v

The explosive case Orwrapper' is desig nated and'the explosive l' is' carried within the depression 2; of thecentral portame otthelcase; The case is provided with outwardly extending. end portions l and 5" and: ontwandly extending. side portions or flaps, 6 1 and 7.". The length of endflportiojn onfl'a llis lessrtlian the length ofthe cene tral portion 3; and 5 is of a length greater than the length of the central portion 3 of the case A, so that the flaps completely cover the explosive 1 when they are foldedinwardly upon the same. I 1

The end portion or flap 5 of the case A is provided with openings or slits 8, arranged in separated relation to each other;

o have further provided a clip 9, preferably constructed of sheet tin, although some other suitable material could be used, which is of a size equal to the central portion 3 of the explosive case A. The clip9 is provided at its ends with outwardly extending ears 10 and its central portion is provided with openings or slits 11 positioned in separated parallel relation. The clip 9 is further provided with ears 12, preferably cut from the clip itself, and positioned one at each side of the portion 13 of the clip which separates the openings 11 therein.

lVe have shown a spring rail-engaging member 14 JIOVlClGCl with an approximately flat top 15 having therein U-shaped bends or crimps 16 in separated relation.

' In assembling our torpedo the portions 3, 1, 6 and 7 of the case are coated with cement and the explosive 1 is then placed in the depression 2 of the case. The end portion or flap d is then folded inwardly upon the explosive 1 and its outer face coated with cement. The clip 9 is then placed upon the under surface of the end flap 5, as illustrated in Fig. 5, in such a manner that the openings 8 and 11 of the members register. The rail-engaging member 14 is then threaded through the registering openings of the clip and the end flap of the case in such a manner that the top 15 of the rail-engaging member lies against the inner face of the end-flap 5, the ends 17 of the rail-engaging member extending downwardly and outwardly from the openings. The U bends 16, in the top of the rail-engaging member likewise extend downwardly through the openings of the clip and end-flap and hold the rail-engaging member-[against endwise movement in its retainer. The openings '8 and 11 are of a length approximately equal to the width of the rail-engaging member so as to snugly receive the'same and guard against transverse movement of the rail-engaging member. I

With the rail-engaging member threaded through the end-flap 5 and the clip 9, these members are then folded inwardly upon the previously inwardly'folded end-flap 4c of the case. To complete the torpedo, the previouslycement coated side-flaps ,6 and 7 are folded inwardly upon the clip 9. As clearly appears in the drawings, these portions are formed so as to extend inwardfy only so far as the cars 12 of the clip 9, and these ears 12 are clamped downwardly upon the flaps to positively lock them in place; To

. folds. v

From the foregoingit will-beseenthat we have furnished. a completed'torpedo, but if it is desired the torpedo can be subjected to a waterproofing bath so as to insure against dampness penetrating its explosive case and reaching the explosive compound.

It will be further seen thatwe have provided a torpedoin which-the outer folds of the case; do not extend over the rail-engaging member and thereby have prevented any likelihood of the case holding the rail-engaging memberin a-spreador extended position. If it be sodcsire d, a lead strip can be substituted in place of the spring railengaging member. v i

We desire further to point out that with the outer folds of the case being doubly locked in position by the inwardly clamped ears 10 at their ends and the inwardly clan'iped cars 12 at their center, we have provided a torpedo which will withstand handling both in shipping and in use without the likelihood of the outer folds of the case becoming displaced and'thereby eudangering the complete destruction of the torpedo'hvhich would occur should'the outer foldsbecome loose. Shouldthe outer folds of the case become loose not only would the explosive be likely to become damp butjthe entire case would in all probability become unfolded and thereby render the torpedo worthless. i

Referring now to our modified construction, as shown in Figs? and 8 of-the .draw- 'ings, in this torpedothe explosive 17,1which is preferably of tablet form, is carried within an open ended wrapper18, which has outwardly extendingendportions 19 beyond the ends of the explosive. A metal clip21, similar in construction tothe previously described metalclip 9', is placed upon the bottom of the torpedo w'rapper 18 and the outwardly extending end-portions 19 are folded down'upon this clip 21 as'at 20.- The clip 21carries at its ends outwardly extending ears 22, which are bentjinwa-rdly upon the end portions 20 of the torpedo-wrapper to hold them inplace. The clip 21 is further provided with ears 23, preferably cu't'from the clip 21, and positioned one at each'side of the center portion 24 of the clip; These e'ars 523 are bent. downwardly upon. the end poi:

tions 20 ofthe torpedo-Wrapper to further hold them in folded position. The centerpo'rtion24of the clip is formed between slits 25, which are positione'din separated parallelrelationyas; clearly appears in Fig. 7 of the drawing. Y i

In this figure of th drawing, we have shown the rail-engagingmember 26 in the form of a lead strap; which is threaded through the opening- 25m the metal clip 21.

- IP11 fastening the torpedo to arail-head, themetal rail strap Qt -is bent around the railhead and holds the-torpedo in placeupon thera'it- I '1 In Figs. 9 and 10' o-ii the drawi'ngs,'-the: construction is identical withatha-t describedi n; Figs-T and 8, with-the exception that we have shown a springsclipQT asthe form or rail-engaging member which may be employed. As the; construetionloi" the torpedo.

' in these two; figures istheisame'as in Figs.-

I tore, given.

T and 8, numerals have been applied to these figuresfidentical withthose applied to Figs.

7 and 8, and nohfurther deseription is,there- Inthe form 0t torpedo shown; Figqll, we. have; usedthertorpedo-wrapper 18, pre viously described, having the inwardly bent; end-portions-orflaps- 20. In. the construc-.

I tion shown: in this figure, a metal clip} 2 -1 used! which is provided with, inwardly and downwardly bent corner projecting ears; and downwardly bent centrally located ear-v por ion 30 th h ld'the inwardly bent en port ons 200ithetorpedorwrapper inLpl We; have. here Shown a lead strap 31,-, the;

form oi? rail engaging,member; As clearly; appears in. this. figure,jtherstrap. passes beneaththe metal clip 28 and isreta-ined in place by thepunching or depressing; the metalclip 28' at aplurality of points, as at, downwardly intoyengagement with. the

strap. v I v Referring nowto-Itig. 12 of the-drawings, weihaye here mployed. a form of torpedom wrapper; asshown, in- F,igs. .1 to 6-, inclusive,

of the drawings. The-explosiye is designated at: 33, being preferably t tablet form, carried within the several folds of the case '84.,

aratedL parallel relation. Throughthe openings 4:2 is threaded the rail-engaging member 43, which is shown in the form of a spring clip similar to that'shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings. The central portion 44 of the rail-engaging member lies beneath th central portion 45-01? the metal clip 39, While U-bends 4:6 in the rail-engaging member 43 extend downwardly through the openings 42 of the clip and hold. the rail-engaging member against endwise.

movement in the clip.

' The form or torpedo; construction, shown '12 and 13 01? the'd'rawi ngs is similar to that-shown l'ILfElgS;-"1 to 6, inclusive,"o

the drawings, With the exception that i the:

railigengagingmember is not threade'd through oneo-f the; inwardly folded: end;

- flaps of the torpedoacasei T In Figs. lid-sand '15; o f-ithe drawings,

have shown tonstruetion identical-1 tothe;

construction, shown anddescrihed in Figs;

L2;and13, ot the drawings, withthe, 6X6P;

tiom Qf-the rail-engagingmember; ,I n. the ie- ,.tw0 figures oh the drawing rail-engaging" member. isv designated by: 4.7

and is a l'eadfistrap,threadedwthrough, the, openings 42 in the clip 39, in such a manner:

that the! strapicroSs'esaboVe instead of .be-a low that centralportion 45. of the; oli-p,.;which; lies between thezzclip'g-iopenings 42;, Due to; this manner of; threading the strap it extends outw,ardlyv thom', beneath the metal clip 39;,whereas, in the other forms oi't torpedo 5 constructions, shown, and described herein;

the raileengagingcmembers; hav been, passed;

under the. central portions-of: the,- clips. and. extended: outwardly from theides. of; the

torpedo above the metalyclizp, which holds? them tothetonpedo-,

.As this form of torpedo; is; similar to-thei tarnish-own i.n1.Figs ,1-2. and 13,. with theex (zeptionot the railrengaging: member;. simi--.

l'aireference numerals h-a'ave; been given: to;

Figures lye-and 15 of-the drawings asthose;

helieini shown and described-can be subjecta ed toza wa erproofingbathrsu as: to; insure against dampn ss; penetrating the explosive:

ea e. andl each ngr-the explosive compound.)

The; features; or adyantages; dBSCllbediln; relation to,etheaconstructionsishown in: Figs ate inclusiveoi t eidrastingsganei also;

me I

applicable to the'other forms oftorpedoes shown and described herein.

Having thus described ourinvention, what we cla m and desire to-secure by Letters Pat I ent is: i

'1. An improved railway signaltorpedo, no]

comprising a case having inwardly "folded extending portions, an explosive within-the case, a clip carried by the torpedo below the inwardly folded portions thereof, the: clip having openings for the passage of a railengaging member, andthe inwardly folded extended portions folded inwardly upon the clip and he thereby. i 1

2. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a case, having inwardly folded extending portions, a clip carried by the id in their folded positions torpedo below said folded portions, the clip being provided with openings for the passage, of a rail-engaging member, the clipbe I ing further provided with ears at its end? corners and adjacent its openings, and the inwardly folded portions of the case being retained in their folded position by the clip ears. I

3. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a case made up of overlapping flaps and outer folds an explosive within,

the case, a clip carried by one of said flaps, the clip and its carrying flap having openings for the passage of a rail-engaging member, the clip-provided with ears at its end-corners and ears within the margin of the clip and adjacent its openings,'and the outer folds of the case folded inwardly and retained in their folded position by the clip ears. r

4. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a case made up of a plurality of folds of material, a clip carried by one of said folds, an explosive carried within the case, theclip provided with ears, and the outer folds-of the'case folded inwardly upon opposite edges of the clip and retained in their folded positions-by the clip ears.

An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a case made up of a plurality of folds of material, a clip carried by one of said folds, openings in the clip and its carrying fold for receiving a rail-engaging member, a clip provided with ears at its opposite end corners and at opposite sides of the clip openings, and the outer folds of the case folded inwardly upon the clip in parallel relation to the rail-engaging member and retained in their folded position by the clip-ears. a

6.'An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a case made up of overlapping flaps,an explosive within the case, a clip carried by one of said flaps, the clip and flap having openings, for the passage of a railengaging member, a rail-engaging member having approximately U-shaped bends in its top, and the U-shaped bends of the rail-engaging member extending outwardly through the openings in the clip and flap, for the purpose described.

7. An improved railway signal torpedo,

comprising a case made up of overlapping flaps, an explosive within'the case, a clip carried by oneof said flaps, the clip and flap having penings for the passage of the rail engaging member, a ra1l-eng g g member having approximately U-shaped bends in its top','the outer folds-of the case folded inwardly upon the clip and held in their.

folded positions thereby, and the U-shaped bends for the rail-engaging'member extendners, and upwardly struck portions interiorly located at opposite sides of theopen-V ings, for the purpose described. v

9. A clip for use with a railway signal torpedo, comprising extensions at four of its opposite corners, upwardly struck portions oppositely located and remote from the edges of the clip, for the purpose described.

10. An improved railway signal torpedo, comprising a case having inwardly folded extending portions, a clip carried by the terpedo beneath said folded portions, a rail engaging member for the torpedo, the clip being provided with ears at its end corners and ears within its margins, and the inwardly folded portions of the case being retained in their folded position by the clip ears.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto aflix our signatures.

FRANK WV. BROWN. ARCHIE R. MARSHALL. 

